Brenda Desimon brought to the committee’s attention a troubling incident in which her daughter was bullied. Desimon reported a concerning lack of engagement from the school’s principal and superintendent, with emails and voicemails left unanswered. She criticized the teacher’s conflicting statements regarding their departure and the absence of a subsequent apology to the affected students. Desimon also emphasized the insufficient mental health resources, noting that guidance counselors did not provide timely responses to students in need. While expressing her readiness to collaborate with the committee to improve these aspects, Desimon thanked the students who stood in solidarity with her daughter against bullying and emotional abuse. The committee did not directly respond to Desimon’s comments during the meeting, and no specific measures or actions were immediately taken.

The committee also discussed the evolving roles of paraprofessionals within the district. A presentation by Tess from the District Management Group outlined the work being done to redefine these roles, stressing the importance of clear communication and appropriate training. The proposed responsibilities would focus on reinforcing content taught by teachers, supporting modification plans, and ensuring inclusivity in classrooms. A significant part of the conversation revolved around the use of paraprofessionals as substitutes, acknowledging the potential disruption this could cause to student support. The committee delineated guidelines for the frequency with which paraprofessionals could be pulled to substitute to minimize such disturbances. Clarifying reporting structures, the presentation stated that paraprofessionals report to the school leader but may receive direction from teachers and staff throughout the day. The importance of ongoing evaluation and collaboration was emphasized, as was the committee’s dedication to supporting the implementation of these changes.

Moreover, the meeting highlighted the superintendent’s recognition by the Massachusetts School Superintendent Association, with committee members congratulating him on the award.

The school nutrition program was another focal point of the meeting. Nancy, the Food Services representative, reported a notable increase in the number of meals served during the 2023-2024 school year and discussed the potential continuation of free meals for students, pending state budget approval. She detailed the procurement process for food items and the department’s achievements, such as menu enhancements and staff training initiatives. Future plans include modernizing the high school cafeteria and expanding the “Taste Tuesdays” program. Nancy also addressed efforts to accommodate students with dietary restrictions and proposed strategies to improve access to breakfast, such as serving it in the hallways. The committee members shared their concerns and suggestions, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive food options and the importance of Nancy’s contributions to the Wellness Committee.

A detailed presentation on the Panorama system’s use to consolidate student information was given. The committee explored the benefits of having an overview of student academics, behaviors, and social-emotional well-being. Yet, they acknowledged potential limitations and the need for responsible use of student information, as well as the importance of data privacy.

The committee is scheduled to meet with school leaders on June 18th to launch a new initiative focusing on professional development at all levels and establishing success metrics. A demonstration site was used to present analytics and data from the Panorama platform, which will be instrumental in monitoring student progress and accessing support resources.

They expressed gratitude to a departing student representative and welcomed the election of a new representative.